$$$ Following more money $$$

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

August 3, 2016 1:00 a.m.

For the financial reporting period following the Fernandina Observer Town Hall Meeting and the Fernandina Beach News Leader Debate, Superintendent of Schools Candidate Kathy Burns reported her highest level of campaign contributions to date, whereas her opponent Janet Adkins reporter her second lowest level of contributions for the same period. The reporting period covered July 9-22, 2016, predating Senator Aaron Bean’s July 26 endorsement of Burns and Former Attorney Bill McCollum’s July 28 endorsement of Janet Adkins. Two former Nassau County Sheriffs—Ray Geiger and Ronnie Dougherty—also endorsed Adkins around the same time.

Unlike previous reporting periods that showed most of Burns’ contributions coming from Nassau County residents and businesses, contributions from conservative political committees accounted for the increase. Burns received $275 from individual Nassau County contributors, $500 from a union, $300 from a lobbyist, two $1,000 donations from Tallahassee consultants, $1,000 from State Senator Dan Gaetz, and sixteen $1,000 contributions from conservative political committees.

Adkins, who received the bulk of her war chest earlier in the campaign, listed only 5 contributions from individuals totaling $850. Two of those contributions came from Nassau County residents in the amounts of $25 and $100.

Despite the recent surge in contributions to Burns’ campaign, she continues to lag behind Adkins in fundraising. The latest report shows that Adkins has raised $102,196 to Burns’ total of $82,557.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.